I'm a cousin to a lot of girls from the ages of 14-21
I'm an "Auntie" to two beautiful girls ages 12-14
I'm a future step-mom to a 6 year old
and for the last 7 years, I've been a family friend to my friends' kids
What I didn't know, was the kind of role-model I was to these girls when they were younger.
I remember posting things on social media that were a horrible example to a younger generation.
I was told many times "I can't believe you posted that on Facebook"
What was my reason?
Well, I'm older, and I make my own decisions
When they're older they'll do the same
I was a "good" role-model in real life, but through social media I was different.
What didn't I realize?
I was the girl in their life's that they looked "up" to...
They "looked-up" to a girl who had posted pics of herself drinking, partying, wearing immodest Halloween costumes, and "modeling" pics that might have been a little inappropriate.
I was young, and I didn't care
I'm sure you have someone on Facebook now that posts pictures and you think to yourself
"Why would you even post that publicly?"
I was that girl...
I didn't realize that what I was saying and doing was shaping those girls for their future.
I didn't realize that what I was posting was creating an image with people I didn't want.
I didn't realize that later on in life, our kids might find out that I did all the same things I don't want them doing
I didn't realize that it was affecting their own self esteem, and the choices they were going to make
I didn't realize that what I was doing seemed "okay" because I did it,
even though their parents said otherwise.
I didn't realize that five years from then, I was going to look like a hypocrite.
I think very differently now before I post anything to social media, or even take a picture of it.
For some, it might still be "inappropriate" but it's FAR better than what I used to post.
Not only am I different person, but I've realized now,
My future step-daughter looks at that
My nieces look at that
My cousins see it
My siblings and family see it
My fiance's family sees it
....but even worse...our kids will see it one day
I don't think we really think about that when we post certain pictures/posts on social media, and for me, I didn't realize it until I grew up...and now it's too late to take it all back.
Next time you take that selfie from above that makes your boobs look huge, or the picture of you at a party taking a body-shot or drinking from a beer bong, or maybe those vulgar lyrics from a new song you "like" (i'm guilty of most of those), remember who sees that.
You'll be a mom someday, and you'll be someones wife one day.
Right now, you're a role-model to a lot of younger girls and you might not realize it, but they do.
They're watching you, and looking up to you in ways you don't even know.
How are you shaping them for their future, what kind of woman are you teaching them to be?
I wish I would have thought twice in my "partying" days about what my niece saw at such a young age, or my cousins at an age where they were deciding who they wanted to be.
I wish I would have known that one day I would regret it.
Don't find yourself five years or ten years later regretting the things you post on social media.
Teach your kids this
It doesn't just affect you, it affects everyone looking at it.
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